Backdoor late developer makes it big
The glamour days of club rugby may seem like a thing of the past, but there are still plenty of dedicated people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the game alive. Every now and then, one of their own reminds everyone just how important the club game remains.
That was certainly the case this weekend when Sharks wing Lyle Matthews announced himself in spectacular fashion, scoring a hat-trick on debut in the Sharks’ away Currie Cup victory over the Pumas. It was a memorable moment for the young winger, but it also shone a well-deserved spotlight on his club, Hillcrest Villagers, which has played a significant role in his development.
The feel-good story does not end there.
Matthews is a former Curro Hillcrest pupil, a relatively small private school that is not traditionally associated with producing elite rugby players. Nestled among upmarket residential estates and alongside a golf course, it is hardly the type of environment many would expect to produce a Currie Cup hat-trick hero.
In recent years, several promising youngsters have left schools like Curro Hillcrest in search of greater rugby opportunities elsewhere. Matthews’ rise is a timely reminder that there is more than one pathway to the top. A solid grounding, unwavering perseverance and a determination to keep improving can still take a player a very long way.
His success is not only a personal triumph but also a welcome boost for club rugby, proving that talent can still emerge from outside the traditional rugby powerhouses and that the grassroots game continues to play a vital role in South African rugby.
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